Sleep Apnea Treatment » Disability

VA disability Question?

Alan — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:36:09 +0000

Question by : VA disability Question?
Hi There, Have a question regarding my disability claim i filed. I know this subject has been beat to death but thought i would put my story out there……..Short and sweet.

I separated from the navy in 2004 and am currently awaiting a compensation decision. i filed in oct of 2010 for the following conditions..
-Sleep Apnea
-Bi lateral foot Injuries(plantar Fasciatus)

I was diagnosed with the Sleep Apnea During active duty in 2000, I had 3 procedures to ” Fix” The Prob. Well 6 years later and able to afford the proper sleep studies and all that comes with it. I still have the condition and have been on the CPAP machine for the last year. Just Curious if they will back pay? and if so how far back will they go?.

The foot Problems also has been documented in my active duty records and am still receiving treatment.

Any advise or info would be welcome.

Thank you,

Best answer:

Answer by Debi
you will get back pay starting from the date you filed your claim.

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Which disability insurance policy should I choose?

Alan — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:41:48 +0000

Question by gtmoore: Which disability insurance policy should I choose?
If I decline benefits at work, I can get an additional $ 2 per hour, which works out to be $ 4,080 per year. I’ve already switched to my wife’s plan for health, dental, & vision coverage, which is less than half of what I pay for individual coverage with my current company. I also was able to get a life insurance policy at a competitive rate. My issue is with disability insurance. I have a history of sleep apnea which is now so mild that my doctor says that treatment is not needed. Metlife has quoted me a policy for 5 year term of disability coverage for $ 97 per month with no exclusions. Mutual of Omaha has given me a quote of $ 106.87 for disability coverage until I turn 67, but they are exlcuding any disability due to or related to sleep apnea. Which disability coverage policy should I chose, or should I just stay with my employers plan and not worry about the extra $ 4,080 I would get by declining benefits with them?
Thanks for the replies! The policies have a 90 day exclusion period then are in force for 5 years with a qualifying disability for Metlife and till age 67 for Mutual of Omaha, which has the sleep apnea exclusion. The monthly benefit is $ 3600.
Thanks again for the replies. Do you think the limited benefit period of 5 years is a problem or is the chance of me having a catastrophic illness or injury very remote? My employer’s short and long-term disability group policy would provide coverage until age 65 if I were to become permanently disabled (60% of pay) and there are no pre-existing condition exclusions. However, as I mentioned before, I would forfeit the extra $ 4,080 per year by keeping the policy. What are your thoughts?
Yes, these are offers. Yes, I did go through two different agents initially. The insurance broker with the Metlife agent has given me all the pluses and minuses of my three choices and is leaving the decision up to me. I’m definitely leaning towards the metlife policy.

Best answer:

Answer by mbrcatz
Are we talking short term, or long term disability?

For long term disability, you could consider relying on SSDI. For short term, I’d bank that $ 4080 a year, and then some, and “self insure”.

But it WILDLY depends on your total income, and your age.

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how do you obtain disability insurance if you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea?

Alan — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 06:34:16 +0000

Question by IRONMAN: how do you obtain disability insurance if you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea?
After 20 yrs in the same hospital, I’m leaving my pharmacist job to work as an independent contractor. In preparation for my move, I applied for disability insurance thru a large insurance company but was denied coverage because I was diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Any suggestions out there? Will this continue to haunt me? I had the test done because my wife said I snored too much. Had I never been tested, I’d be on my merry way with a disability policy in hand.

Best answer:

Answer by kiltze
You likely will not be able to obtain coverage. Sleep Apnea is rather expensive for an insurance company due to the high costs of CPAP machines and masks. The only way around this might be to convince an insurance company to let you sign a waiver absolving them from having to cover your Sleep Apnea.

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if one is on medicare disability can they have gastric bypass surgery and it be covered?

Alan — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:36:57 +0000

Question by yanksgirl: if one is on medicare disability can they have gastric bypass surgery and it be covered?
Can a person morbidly obese– 550 lbs or perhaps more, with multiple health issues—high b/p, early onset adult diabetes and sleep apnea, be covered by their disability insurance for the gastric bypass surgery?

Best answer:

Answer by S P
You have to prove for about 6 months that you were on under a doctor supervised diet. Then medicare may not even cover it.

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Q&A: When was Sleep Apnea first recognized as an actual sickness or disability?

Alan — Wed, 11 May 2011 12:39:15 +0000

Question by ddlg42: When was Sleep Apnea first recognized as an actual sickness or disability?
When was Sleep Apnea first recognized as an actual sickness or disability? I was in the military from ‘73-’77 and had all the symptoms but I was young and was never concerned with the effects. Once out of the military, symptoms persisted and was eventually told by the VA and civilian doctors tha I had OSA and have been on a CPAP for over 15 years now. Even after a LAUPP and G-BAT(VA) surgery I still have OSA and still have to use the CPAP. I am trying to service connect my OSA. Please help.

Best answer:

Answer by Just Me
Here is a link that may help….http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/sleep-disorders/archives/history.htmnk

It is hard to say exactly when it was recognized. Sleep and sleep disorders have been studied for decades. I think somewhere around the 1960’s is when it was most officially recognized. 1968 was when we got official rules for recording polysomnography.

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Military disability, Sleep apnea and out of pocket CPAP cost?

Alan — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 06:36:51 +0000

Question by rupert: Military disability, Sleep apnea and out of pocket CPAP cost?
I am currently in the United States Army and I was recently diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. The doctor told me that I will have to use a CPAP machine to help me get better sleep at night. I have done some research and found out that I will be eligible for 50% disability, and some of the disability money will be used for CPAP parts. I was wondering on average how much “out of pocket money” do theses parts cost.
the first answer is great not to high of a out of pocket cost but I was wondering if there were monthly parts you need to buy and if so how much they cost

Best answer:

Answer by Mr. P
The last machine that I got cost me about $ 400 out of pocket, total cost for the unit, hose and face piece.

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Does anyone have any idea if there’s any way to apply for ss disability while still working?

Alan — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 12:37:42 +0000

Question by FloridaGurl: Does anyone have any idea if there’s any way to apply for ss disability while still working?
I am 48 & have worked since 15 yrs old. I’ve been raising 3 children alone for 15 yrs & over time my health has slowly deteriorated. I have bad back problems(herniated discs, bulging discs, spinal stenosis & more) all documented by MRI. I take prescribed pain meds daily, I have high BP, huge heel spurs that cause constant swelling that never subsides & much pain in both ankles & lower limbs. It is extremely difficult to get up & around every day. I can’t stand but for a few minutes & after sitting for long periods (at work) it’s difficult to get up & walk. I struggle with most home chores and even dressing. I have severe sleep apnea, my O2 level drops and sustains at 60% many times during sleep. I was prescribed a BiPap machine but because of my insurance pkg, was not able to afford it. Here’s the catch, I MUST WORK even if I drag myself in, I am the only support for my kids. I was told you must be out of work for 6 mos. to apply, is there any other way? Thanks for any suggestions

Best answer:

Answer by *
Talk to your md. ask him if he/she will fill out disability form for you. You only have to be unemployed for about 7 days.

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I need disability insurance. I’ve been declined by several companies due to a diagnosis of sleep apnea-hints?

Alan — Thu, 27 May 2010 17:17:57 +0000

The apnea diagnosis is so slight that I do not require treatment with a C-PAP machine. I’m surprised that I’ve been declined. Does anyone have any suggestions?

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Is sleep apnea considered a mental or physical disablity?Apt app requires PHYSICAL disability?

Alan — Thu, 27 May 2010 12:34:26 +0000

Is sleep apnea/bipolar/ocd…and of those considered PHYSICAL disability (as opposed to psychiatrict). I want to apply for an apartment, but it says you must have a physical disability….

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Can i get disability check for Sleep Apnea?

Alan — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 23:30:48 +0000

Can i get disability check for Sleep Apnea? I am almost 18 and about to be kicked out of home.Me and my brother and a couple friends are getting a apartment together and i cant find a job and i need money and i have sleep apnea i use a oxygen machine to sleep at night and was wondering if i could get a disability check and pay my rent with it.How much money would i get?

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